$80,000 bail for two accused in string of suburban armed robberies
A man and a woman charged with armed robberies in Des Plaines, Glenview and Schaumburg were each ordered held on $80,000 bail Friday.
A third defendant, 27-year-old Ahmed Fathi, is hospitalized for unknown reasons at Chicago's Cermak Hospital, prosecutors said. His case was held over until Monday.
Fathi and his co-defendants Ayham Alamawi, 23, and Samantha Perez, 23, are charged with armed robbery, a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Alamawi and Perez each must post $8,000 to be released from custody.
Authorities say the three were involved in the robbery of a Schaumburg gas station on the 2500 block of North Meacham Road at 2:12 a.m. Tuesday.
Authorities say that while Alamawi and Perez remained in the car, Fathi entered the gas station. After telling the clerk he wanted to buy a phone charger, Fathi drew a long black knife, which he thrust at the clerk's neck, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney David Mennie.
In attempting to block the knife, the clerk received cuts to his fingers, Mennie said.
After taking $150 from the register, Fathi fled with the others, Mennie said.
The defendants are accused of robbing a Glenview donut shop a short time later. During that robbery, Mennie said, Fathi used a knife to open the cash register and remove money before he fled with the others.
The donut shop clerk called 911, and a description of the defendants went out to other police departments.
The three were arrested a short time later after a traffic stop by Niles police.
Fathi, Perez and Alamawi are also charged with robbing a Des Plaines gas station Monday.
According to police, Fathi and Perez entered the gas station on the 1200 block of Lee Street in Des Plaines, where Perez expressed interest in the clerk, who gave her his phone number.
Police said Fathi put a knife to the clerk's throat, cutting his cheek, then took money from the register. The couple then fled in a car driven by Alamawi, police said.
The robberies were caught on video surveillance, Mennie said.
Perez and Alamawi next appear in court on April 14.